Comments on: 7 Cute Alternatives to the Elf on the Shelf

By: CCodMom

CCodMom — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 20:53:24 +0000

I’ve heard of The Spirit Post. Children would write a note when they spread Christmas spirit/kindness and the owl would take the note to the north pole for Santa when the children were asleep, then come back the next morning and his bag would be empty. I can’t seem to find the book and owl to purchase anywhere, so I might try to make it myself for my kiddos and find a stuffed owl from amazon. I like that the owl isn’t watching them and that they can touch the owl without hurting him.

By: Starla Jimenez

Starla Jimenez — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 20:54:36 +0000

I love all these, especially the Christmas Angel. You should add Melk the Christmas Monkey to your list. My kiddos enjoy it!

By: sarah

sarah — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 13:46:38 +0000

I remember reading and loving this blog last year so I wanted to share something with you! I found a GREAT Christian alternative to the elf on the Shelf! It’s called, The Shepherd’s Treasure! http://www.Theshepherdstreasure.com. I thought I’d share with you because it just came in the mail and I love it! It’s a little Shepherd doll that goes on a hunt to find Jesus! So adorable! anyway… thanks so much for always doing such great blogs… LOVE your stuff!

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 05:32:20 +0000

Thank you for the lovely ideas! The Rascally Reindeer are cute a d the Kindness Elves are such a sweet idea! In a world where we ask our children to believe in something short-term (Santa, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny) in the name of fun, I wonder if we set them up for disappointment or even a lack of trust in the harshness of life. To enjoy Santa, etc., knowing it’s all in fun is fine. But many children are so crushed when they learn the truth. I hope to give my kids a solid foundation in faith so they don’t have to look to the world.
Thanks again for the fun alternatives!

By: Keely

Keely — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 10:12:23 +0000

We so the christmas books, though this year I didn’t wrap them. We started our own version of an elf on the shelf last year. She’s a tinkerbell friend reinvented and much less creepy looking than EOTS. She does some of the things the kindness elves do too…ie deliver foods to the food pantry, etc. I usually give a couple of gifts earlier in the month….christmas shirts and/or pajamas.

By: RobbieRobeen

RobbieRobeen — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 03:30:17 +0000

I Love all of these ideas. This year for each day leading up to Christmas, I bought and wrapped 24 small books for my 2-yr. old granddaughter to open one each day. My daughter-in-law sent me a picture after she opened the first on. She was sitting on the floor with only her panties on reading the book she had opened.

By: Theres Just One Mommy

Theres Just One Mommy — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 03:05:39 +0000

Such great alternatives!

We have an elf because my sister sent it to us. I find the idea of a toy that moves on its own creepy…and so did the kids when I first introduced it. So I let them know I’m the one that moves it — made them feel much better! And they have lots of fun finding it each day.

I think this year we are going to give it a kindness twist!

By: Ashley Hodge

Ashley Hodge — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 16:30:14 +0000

Great post! Another alternative to add to the list 🙂 ….my book! I’m a stay at home mom who just released The Journey of the Wise Men. Take a look at http://www.seekersonthesill.com. Thanks!

By: Julia G

Julia G — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 06:18:24 +0000

Great ideas! I actually like the Elf on the Shelf (including the idea of him doing all kinds of funny pranks), EXCEPT the concept of him *watching* the children and reporting back to Santa. THAT is the creepy part to me. I guess we could do the Elf but just not say that part… hmm….

By: Amy@theidearoom

Amy@theidearoom — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 03:17:28 +0000

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 17:57:18 +0000

We use a Danish stuffed elf that hangs on the wall. It’s also an advent calendar and we call it Christmas Elf. He stays in one place all of December, arriving December 1. Way less creepy than a traveling elf and he gives Advent presents each morning. I like it because it is a way for me to pass on my Scandinavian heritage while borrowing the elf on the shelf idea.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 16:32:52 +0000

I was just reading the kindness elf post and brainstorming how to make my own when this popped up on my news feed. The Christmas Mouse and Traveling Mary and Joseph stand out as well. Lots of neat ideas here!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 06:04:34 +0000

In reply to Betsy @ BPhotoArt.com. Oh yes! Those were so popular when Anna blogged about them last year. Isn't it just the sweetest idea?

By: Betsy @ BPhotoArt.com

Betsy @ BPhotoArt.com — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 04:33:59 +0000

I love the kindness elf idea!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 04:29:52 +0000

In reply to jenetamasson. I'm so glad you liked that idea, Jeneta! That one is especially near and dear to my heart. :)

By: jenetamasson

jenetamasson — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 04:19:06 +0000

I love your idea for the last few days before Christmas! Thanks for sharing it.